Las Fallas de Valencia

From 13 to
19 March, Valencia celebrates one of Spain's best known festivals: Las Fallas.

The Fallas are enormous models made out of papier mache, wood and wax, and
often characaturing Spanish social and political current affairs. The models are
burnt on the night of 19 March in a festival of fire, fireworks and organized
mayhem. Fireworks and firecrackers play a big role in any fiestas held in this
region, and Fallas is no exception. Be careful of firecrackers being thrown along
the street by youngsters. And be prepared for the ground to shake with the force
of the fireworks display which begins at midnight.

There are various theories
concerning the origins of Fallas. Some claim that the festivals have been celebrated
in Valencia since the Middle Ages when carpenters used to light a bonfire on 19th
March, St Joseph Day. Joseph - José in Spanish - is the Patron Saint of
Valencia, and St Joseph's Day is Fathers Day all over Spain. A second theory suggests
that the tradition of lighting bonfires in honour of the saints arose from pagan
customs which the Church accepted and adapted to its own interests, because their
popularity made them impossible to ban.

The
Fallas are divided into seven important stages. The city is adorned in decorations
and fallas, and public enthusiasm takes to the streets. During the week the following
ceremonies take place: the nomination and proclamation of the Fallas Queens (whose
role will last all year as they will be called on to form part of the dignatories
invited to participate in local and regional events), the Exaltation, the Crida,
the Cavalcade of the Ninot, the Offering of Flowers, the Planta and the Cremá.

The
Crema is the culmination of the Fallas. For some it is the saddest moment, while
for others it is the highest point of the festival. The Fallas are lit on the
night of St. Joseph, 19th March. The last ones to be burnt are the fallas which
have won prizes for the best ones (there are several categories under which fallas
compete). One "ninot" is saved each year, from the flames by popular
vote, and exhibited in the Museum of the Ninot. When at about midnight Valencia
literally goes up in flames as more than three hundred fires are burnt throughout
the city, the spectacle is as awesome as it is unforgettable.